Range finding binos

[Cotton King]

I have a pair of Leica Geovid Pro 10x32’s. When you pair them with the Leica ballistics app, it makes for an excellent set of lightweight, range finding binos that are easy to carry, especially with the Rick Young bino harness. I have taken them to South Africa, hunted elk, aoudad, and whitetail deer in Texas and they have functioned flawlessly.

 

[LWPhunt]

Your check book tolerance dictates, Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, are the big names. Vortex and Leupold and others, it's a bit in the eye of the beholder. I bought the Leica Geovid B because I like how they feel in my hands, the balance, and durable as heck (though they have been back to Leica to recalibrate the range finding) I like them and I couldn't afford Swaro at the time.

 

[Rumrunner]

I have the Swaro EL Range 10x32. The glass is great. However they are my only experience in range finding binos. They may be fantastic or not so great since I have no comparison.

 

[BryceM]

Swaros. Cry once, then get decades of use out of them.

 

[Nhoro]

Do you actually use binos or do you want a range finder with added binos ? If you are into bird watching or spend a lot of time glassing during your US hunting then look at Leica or Swarovski. If you need a range finder and to check out a trophy or identify which buffalo then any reasonable binos will work (Leupold or Vortex. If you want ' The Look' then Swarovski

 

[Striger]

I had my Swarovski's for 15 years or so. Top of line glass. If you have the opportunity, take each out at dusk or dawn and see which one's you like.

 

[Miletic]

What are the best. I have zero experience here.

I recommend this device. Refined glass with 150 years of experience. German electronics of the highest possible quality. Resistant to everything we hunters can throw at it. Of course, the price is a bit hot, but it's definitely worth it

 

[DmacD]

I use the Meopta range finding binos. Nice clear glass. A bit of a sleeper, I would say.

 

[BeeMaa]

My wife and I spent a day at Euro Optic that included several hours in the parking lot at last light testing optics. Without exaggeration, we probably had $30K worth of glass out there.

What we learned is that the big three (Leica, Swaro and Zeiss) are at the top for a reason, of course their prices are as well. The other thing we learned is at this tier, it’s how YOUR eye perceives the colors and what looks natural or the best to you. Other brands that were present…Schmidt & Bender, Leupold and Kahles.

We went with Leica Geovid binos and Swaro scopes. My original set of Geovids were gifted to a PH as part of his tip and also an excuse to upgrade to another model. We currently own two sets of Leica Geovid HD-B 3000 10x42 and a set of Ultravid 10x32 (non-RF) for more compact and lightweight travel.

I know some folks really like Vortex but after the experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t trust them to watch cat videos on You Tube.

 

[russ473]

I have a pair of swaro el range 10x42 I’m looking to sell. I do not need them for an ele hunt.

What price are you wanting for them?

 

[VertigoBE]

For those that have RF integrated bino’s for a long time, have you ever experienced any issues, downgrade in capabilities due to the electronics?

Glass is glass, and most binos will easily function well for many many decades, there is nothing to break with normal use. So even “expensive” glass becomes “cheap” over a lifetime of use. But electronics is something else. Battery charge gone (use or temp differences), electronics not functioning after a few years etc.

Does anyone have any (bad) experience in this? I’d hate to put down a lot of money for something that becomes just a heavier and bulkier normal bino after a few years.

V.

 

[Manny R]

I like my Swarovski binos El Range. When pairing them up to my Swarovski Scope it tells me how many clicks I need for the shot. Its accurate. It also has tracking so I can find my game if I get confused of location in heavy brush.
Most of all I love how Swarovski stands behind all their products.

 

[Beck]

I have Meopta's Range finding binos. If you can find them on sale, they are a hell of deal, I think I paid $1400. My Ph uses the big heavy Leica's and swears by their durability. I think the Meopta glass is just below swaro.

 

[BeeMaa]

For those that have RF integrated bino’s for a long time, have you ever experienced any issues, downgrade in capabilities due to the electronics?

Glass is glass, and most binos will easily function well for many many decades, there is nothing to break with normal use. So even “expensive” glass becomes “cheap” over a lifetime of use. But electronics is something else. Battery charge gone (use or temp differences), electronics not functioning after a few years etc.

Does anyone have any (bad) experience in this? I’d hate to put down a lot of money for something that becomes just a heavier and bulkier normal bino after a few years.

V.

We bought our current RF binos in 2020 and have seen no degradation in the capabilities or optical performance. They have been dropped a few times from waist height onto dirt, grass and other (mostly) soft surfaces. Used on countless hunts and all I’ve done is change the battery and keep the lenses clean.

For those that don’t know me, my gear is not babied during a hunt. It’s not abused, but I’m not afraid to use something for its intended purpose. If it gets nicked, dinged or damaged…I’ll deal with it after the hunt.

Not sure if my experiences are the same as others with Leica Geovid binos, but I’d buy them again without hesitation.

My wife dropped a set of Vortex binos and it bent the ocular housing. It was a fall from about 3 feet onto cushy carpet. Vortex fixed them and it happened again within a week of getting them back. They were sold after I had them repaired. This experience and a few other failures of their RDO’s has soured me on their level of quality.

This is not an area to skimp. I also understand that everyone has their own budgetary restrictions. Get the absolute best you can afford. And I’d choose a mid-tier model from one of the top three companies over a top of the line model from a lesser brand.

 

[TTundra]

I'm looking at the new Tract LRF. Would have already grabbed one but with a hunt coming up, it wasn't in the cards. I have one of their Toric binos and scopes and they are terrific. These are the guys who built Nikon and left and the started Tract. They only do D2C so the retails are 25%+ less then comparative optics. I think these will be a solid contnender and Im planning on grabing one before the fall season

https://tractoptics.com/toric-10x42-eagle-ballistics-laser-rangefinding-binocular/